Camp Susquehanna

  • Leader-In-Training June 14-19, 2025
  • Volunteers June 15-19, 2025
  • Campers June 16-19, 2025

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About Camp Susquehanna

What is Camp Susquehanna?
Camp Susquehanna is a program of the Burn Prevention Network that offers year-round online activities and a 4-day, sleep-away experience for youths ages 7-21 who have had a serious burn injury. It is an opportunity for children to have fun, learn life skills, meet other burn survivors, and process the trauma of their injury in a supportive environment. Although Camp Susquehanna’s campers are of varying ages, activities and groups are geared towards each camper’s developmental needs.

 

It is the policy of the Burn Prevention Network to make its educational programs and services available to all persons, organizations, and places of business without regard to sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, race, creed, color, national origin, ability to pay, handicap or disability, and subject to the availability of institutional resources.

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Camper Info

Interested in learning more about what it’s like at Camp Susquehanna?

Check out our CAMPER’S GUIDE TO CAMP

Want more information about Camp and Camp events available to young burn survivors in Pennsylvania?  Let us know HERE.

Camper Application 2025

Packing List

Transportation Information

Coming soon!

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Volunteer Info

Interested in volunteering at Camp Susquehanna?

We have IN PERSON camp opportunities – these are counselors, program (Fun Squad) members, photographers, psychosocial, etc.  To participate in IN PERSON Camp, you must:

  • Commit to being on site for the entirety of camp
  • Have experience working with children and be at least 21 years of age.
  • Complete the full camp application
  • Complete a phone interview
  • Must have Criminal and Child Abuse checks completed and submitted prior to attending camp. Anyone who has not lived in the state of PA for the last ten consecutive years ​must also complete an FBI fingerprint check. Clearances are valid for 60 months from date of ​issue.

If you would like to apply for In Person Camp 2025, start here:

 

 

 

 

If you cannot commit to the entire time at camp, we have other opportunities as well!

  • Chaperone on the buses that bring campers to and from camp.
  • Packers who label, organize, inventory, and move camp supplies.
  • Fundraisers!  Hold a raffle, a fundraising event, or recruit donors.
  • Help with a lunch stop along the bus routes for the campers.

If you would like to learn more about these opportunities, start here: 

 

 

 

Apply for Clearances

Packing List

Volunteer Handbook

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Health at Camp

Campers with special needs: 

Camp Susquehanna has qualified burn nurses on staff who dispense medications, change dressings, assist with pressure garments, and perform medical duties as needed.  Our programming is geared to include all levels of ability and function.   Other professionals are present, including mental health, physical, occupational, and/or recreational therapists, etc.

 

 

 

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Activities

 

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Location

 

Camp Susquehanna is being held at beautiful Camp Westmont in Poyntelle, PA!  Surrounded by beautiful woods and containing many outdoor adventures, campers and counselors also enjoy the amenities of air conditioned facilities.

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Cost for Camp

Camp is FREE to campers, sponsored by the Fleming Foundation, the Burn Foundation of Philadelphia, M. Elvin Byler Memorial Sertoma Club, Burn Prevention Network, and other generous donors.  Campers are also offered free roundtrip bus transportation from several different sites/burn centers across Pennsylvania; including Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Lehigh Valley.  Campers may also be brought to camp via private vehicle.

 

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Staff & Leadership

Our staff consists of adult burn survivors, health care professionals, burn center staff and fire service professionals.  All of our staff undergoes criminal background checks, screening interviews, and training.

Jessica Banks, BSE

Jessica Banks is the Associative Executive Director for the Burn Prevention Network and Co-Director of Camp Susquehanna. She has a Bachelor’s degree with dual certification in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Millersville University. She worked in Early Care Classrooms and Administration for 18 years before joining the staff of the Burn Prevention Network in 2006. She runs all programming for BPN, and holds the PA State Levels I&II Certification as a Youth Fire Misuse Specialist.  She has been involved with Camp Susquehanna since 2015.

Liz Dideon Hess, LCSW

Liz Dideon Hess is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist specializing in burn recovery, trauma, and caregiver support. Before entering private practice, Liz spent 13 years as the clinical social worker at Lehigh Valley Health Network’s Regional Burn Center. A burn survivor herself since 2003, Liz has been a dedicated part of Camp Susquehanna since 2004, offering individual counseling and peer support for pediatric and adult survivors.

 

 

Steven Schneider, CFPS

Steven Schneider is a retired fire chief and a certified fire protection specialist. He currently works with a major fire protection service provider and serves as the Regional Burn Center’s Liaison to the Fire Service at Lehigh Valley Health Network. Steven joined Camp Susquehanna in 2014, co-led the Leaders-in-Training (LIT) program since 2015 and currently serves as our Safety and Logistics lead.

 

Michelle Scales, RN, BSN, CBRN

Michelle Scales is a registered nurse who began her burn care journey at Lehigh Valley Health Network’s Burn Center in 2012. In 2018, she transitioned to outpatient burn recovery and has served as Camp Susquehanna’s nurse for nine years. Michelle earned her nursing diploma from Fanshawe College in 1997 and her Bachelor’s degree in 2019. In 2020, she also became a volunteer firefighter.

 

Molly Bowers, CAM

Molly Bowers is an Assistant Community Manager at a luxury apartment community in Lancaster, PA. She has been an integral part of Camp Susquehanna since 2008 and joined the leadership team in 2022. As the head of the Fun Squad, Molly designs engaging, meaningful experiences for campers with a focus on inclusivity, joy, and connection.

 

Jessica Smith, MS, CCLS

Jessica is a Senior Child Life Specialist at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Jess has a Master’s degree in Child Development and Family Studies and has worked as a certified child life specialist for over 10 years. Jess worked at the UPMC Mercy Trauma Burn Center for four years during which time she provided psychosocial support to pediatric burn survivors and their families. Jess has been involved with Camp Susquehanna since 2012 serving as a counselor, team leader, and psychosocial support team member.

Jonathan Lepore, LCSW

Jonathan is a Clinical Social Worker at Lehigh Valley Health Network’s Regional Burn Center. He holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Bryn Mawr College and has been actively working in the nonprofit sector for the past 13 years. Jonathan has earned multiple certifications in different treatment modalities, clinical supervision, and leadership during that time. He has been actively involved with Camp Susquehanna since 2023 and is the current co-leader for the Leaders-In-Training (LIT) Program.

Cheryl Johnson

Cheryl Johnson is the Executive Administrator of the Community Development Department at Dollar Bank, where she supports financial empowerment, affordable housing, and inclusive community initiatives. Her journey with Camp Susquehanna began in 2012 while working at UPMC Mercy Trauma Burn. Originally volunteering as a counselor, she quickly became known as “Camp Mom,” offering warmth and support to campers and staff. Today, Cheryl proudly co-leads the Leaders-in-Training (LIT) program and continues to inspire through her heart-driven leadership.

 

Heather Major, BA

Heather Major is a caseworker with Children & Youth Services. She graduated from Cedar Crest College in 2000 with a degree in Social Work and is currently pursuing her Master’s. Outside of her professional role, Heather serves as a lieutenant with her local fire department. She joined Camp Susquehanna in 2019 as a counselor and Fun Squad member.

 

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Leaders In Training Info

The Leaders In Training (LIT) program is a three year leadership program within Camp Susquehanna, for young adults ages 18 to 21 with an option for a fourth year. The LIT program focuses on fostering skills necessary to becoming a good leader as well as developing life skills that will be beneficial throughout the participant’s lifetime. Through a combination of group discussions and exercises, the participants will recognize the value of teamwork and planning, how to overcome obstacles, handle setbacks and continue to develop their own values. These skills will be put to use while interacting and assisting the campers and counselors. Entry into this program is via an application process, which will be reviewed by a committee of the Camp and those accepted will be notified.

Leader In Training Application 2025

 

 

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Donate

Camp Susquehanna is only possible because of generous community donors and businesses. It costs roughly $2500 to send one child to camp, and the entire experience is completely free of charge to our campers and their families!

Please mail your gift to:

Burn Prevention Network
Attn: Cori Rolón
6081 Hamilton Blvd. Suite 600-628
Allentown, PA 18106

Make checks payable to: Burn Prevention Network and write “Camp Susquehanna” in the memo.

The Burn Prevention Network is a Non-Profit Charitable Corporation registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free 1-800-732-0999.

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Contact Us

Camp Susquehanna is a program of the Burn Prevention Network. 

Mailing Address:

6081 Hamilton Blvd., Suite 600-628
Allentown, PA 18106 -3107

484-224-3032